What's your favourite gear ratio?

Doesn't skidding slow down or eventually bring your bike to a standstill; why would you want to do that?

I'll ask my dream self tonight when I go to bed.

I've run 53x16 for a while now, but I've always had brakes, and never had to deal with many hills

Unless you live in a country where it's perfectly flat and have tailwind at every direction you go, seriously don't ride at that ratios, my dad who's 57 have two knees operation because he been riding with a higher gear inches almost all his life (48x15 on the fixed and never use the 34t of the compact on his roadie).

^ Snap, 2 knee ops in 21 years riding 53x16, but I did ride in a very flat and windy place where the roads are smooth

Certainly wouldn't recommend a gear ratio much above 3 for training and everyday use, but ever so often refitting the Fiesta with a Ferrari engine, be that for fun or competition, feels great and won't do any damage to your knees, presuming for the sake of argument, that you have the physique to push those man size gears in the first place.

46 x 16 and I live in the Japanese mountains, suits me fine!

You up in Nagano dude?

[Off on one…] Skimming this thread (again) it strikes me that most people seem to stick to a set gear ratio. I think that is a shame, even if you're merely commuting - in which case I'm certainly not suggesting that you adjust your drivetrain - be that cog or chainring - on a daily basis, but don't deprive yourself of the privilege altogether. Fact is, no two rides are the same. Never ceasing changes, including wind and weather, let alone traffic and other external factors, as well as your physique and day-to-day form, will always influence your ride, so why not configure your bike accordingly?

It's tricky business of course. Essentially when riding fixed you're never in the right gear, thus whatever ratio you go for it will always be a compromise. I've been out of the game for a few years and only just recently got back into cycling. I absolutely love riding, but fine-tuning my bike playing around with different gear ratios, adjusting the seat post or maybe trying out a longer stem, is half the pleasure.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, just because you're riding fixed, don't think your bike is any less sophisticated than a multi-speed bike. In fact getting the configuration right is even more important. Needless to say you may not necessarily notice the difference on your hectic daily commute, but I can assure you, when racing or riding for fun even the slightest alteration will affect you performance and overall riding experience.[/Off on one…]

^ Just get lots of different bikes that cover a wide variety of gear ratios innit ;-)

I carry a chainwhip and a set of sprockets in one tooth increments between 13t and 22t in my bag at all times for this reason. You'll often see me dismounting and quickly adjusting my ratio whilst the lights are red, and then stopping again once I've built up some momentum in order to change it to something more appropriate for higher speeds.

^ Just get lots of different bikes that cover a wide variety of gear ratios innit ;-)

You said it!

Girl says no...

I carry a chainwhip and a set of sprockets in one tooth increments between 13t and 22t in my bag at all times for this reason. You'll often see me dismounting and quickly adjusting my ratio whilst the lights are red, and then stopping again once I've built up some momentum in order to change it to something more appropriate for higher speeds.

+1

I carry a chainwhip and a set of sprockets in one tooth increments between 13t and 22t in my bag at all times for this reason. You'll often see me dismounting and quickly adjusting my ratio whilst the lights are red, and then stopping again once I've built up some momentum in order to change it to something more appropriate for higher speeds.

This sounds very time consuming. I simply have a van follow me everywhere with a selection of appropriate bikes to choose from.

At least, I think that's why that van follows me everywhere :-/

I just have a series of transitions set up along my commute, as I reach a change in terrain I hop off the bike i'm riding and hop on the one propped up waiting for me.

I ingest various amounts of amphetamine or Valium as I ride different inclines, to give the sensation of pushing a harder or easier gear.

"I just have a series of transitions set up along my commute, as I reach a change in terrain I hop off the bike i'm riding and hop on the one propped up waiting for me."

"I ingest various amounts of amphetamine or Valium as I ride different inclines, to give the sensation of pushing a harder or easier gear."

Interesting approach... need to reassess.

46/17 on one bike, n 46/15 on another reason being i could source those gear at a decent price, n recently gone brakeless too so i better get used to the higer ratio soon!

anyone have opinions on 48/14 ?? thinking of fitting that ratio on my new 725 build

Far too big for general riding

"Anyone have opinions on 48/14? Thinking of fitting that ratio on my new 725 build."

It depends… So many factors in play e.g. your physique, technique and style of riding and so on, let alone environment and terrain. Where will you be riding and for what purpose?Joyriding secluded from traffic and commuting through London during rush hour, might require two different setups. Will you be riding brakeless, or brake-free as I prefer to call it? The list is endless.

Personally I struggle with a cadence over 120r.p.m., hence I tend to go for a relatively high gear ratio, in order not to seriously compromise my top speed. A gear ratio around 2.9-3.1 equivalent to 75-80 gear inches (typically 49/16 or 49/170) seems "right" on most rides and enables me to maintain a cruise speed of 25m.p.h or there about.

Most skilled "can't stop-won't stop" riders would probably find a 3.4 gear ratio (48/14) equivalent to 90 gear inches a little too high in an urban environment, as it would more than likely somewhat limit your acceleration and ability to decelerate without skidding or braking. The trade-off of course would be a higher/easier cruise speed.

Like I said, it depends... In my humble opinion, taking everything said into consideration, learn to spin and go for the lowest feasible gear ratio you possibly can. In reality It always boils down to personal preference - trial and error really - so whatever you do, play around, use a gear inch/skid patch calculator if applicable and and don't limit yourself to a set ratio before even getting on your bike.

As for spinning...

"It's a lot like pedaling, but faster."

42x16 here. But I have pipe cleaner legs and am scared of speeds >25mph. I'll spank you lot away from the lights though.

Say that to my polo bike.

And someone other than me riding it.

48/14 is a fine gear ratio, so long as you live in the pan-flat fens, there are no traffic lights to pull away from and a headwind never ever blows....

48/14 is a fine gear ratio, so long as you live in the pan-flat fens, there are no traffic lights to pull away from and a headwind never ever blows....

Velodrome?

The moon?

For moon-riding I'd probably go for something around 387/11...